Automatic valve control



Nov. 3, 1936; B. M. STUBBLEFIELD ET AL AUTOMATIC VALVE CONTROL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1935 INVENTORS Maw . QWN

3, 1936- B. STUBBLEFIELD ET AL 2,059,411

AUTOMATIC VALVE CONTROL Filed Feb. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS .4 wow/1M MW Patented Nov. 3, 1936 I.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT 1 OFFICE AUTOMATIC VALVE common tion of Ohio Application February 14, 1933, Serial No. 656,614 9 Claims. (01. 48-192) 7 l v ther advantage that it can be utilized to main- Our invention relates to the automatic control of valves and, in particular, to the control of valves in fuel supply lines, although it is not limited strictly thereto but has other useful applications.

In many instances, it has been found desirable to close fuel supply lines upon a decrease in the pressure of the fuel in the line,,or upon failure of the fuel supply. This. is necessary to avoid of the atmosphere so that the'combustion zone' is actually drawn back into the supply line.-

Manual operation of the control valves in a fuel line to avoid this hazard is obviously unsatisfacauxiliaries such as coke ovens.

tory because of the uncertainties thereof and the difficulty of insuring the desired operation so as to aiford any kind of protection against backfiring. A particular application of this problem is in the use of blast furnace gas in steel mill.

blast furnace gas, of course, varies with the operation of the furnace and may at times de.

crease to zero. Under such conditions, obviously, it would be desirable to have some automatic apparatus for closing the valves in the supply lines to prevent back-firing. In some instances, the pressure in fuel supply lines is maintained by booster blowers driven by electric motors. In these instances, failure of the supply current for the booster motors results in a drop in the fuel pressure at the point of consumption. This occurrence also gives rise to the same hazard, above mentioned, namely, that the flame from the burner will be drawn back into the line on failure of pressure therein.

' We have invented a system for guarding fuel supply lines against the dangers above pointed out whether due to failure of the pressure in the fuel line or to the interruption of the operation of a booster motor, if such is employed. In accordance with our invention,- we provide an automatic valve closing arrangement effective upon the occurrenec of either of the conditions mentioned to close the valves immediately to prevent back-firing.

In certain fuel burning applications, duplicate burners are employed in alternate cyles, one

I set of burners operating while another set is idle. This operation requires that the valves of the burners of the respective groups be alternately closed and opened in a predetermined sequence. Our invention also includes means applicable to such installations for closing all valves upon the occurrence of a drop in the pressure in the fuel line or the failure of the current supply for the booster motor.

- -Our, invention is also characterized by the furment.

The supply of as any one of said sources remains effective for delivering fuel, Each individual fuel supply line will be shut :down' as the supply of fuel fails and upon the closing of the control valve in.the

, last line remaining in operation, the burner valves supplied thereby will also be closed, together with the main valve.

For a complete understanding of the invention, reference is' made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a present preferred embodi- In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic showing of the invention and the electric circuits and apparatus associated therewith; and

Figure 2 is a side elevation with parts in section, showing a portion of the apparatus schematically shown in Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, fuel is supplied by a conduit It to burners Illa through valves arranged in groups H and H2. The fuel may, for example, be blast furnace gas although the invention is applicable, of course, to the control of other types of fuel. For the purpose of the present description, it will be assumed that the burners controlled by the valves in the groups H and I2 are installed in a coke oven and that it is desired to fire'the oven in opposite directions at intervals, necessitating periodic reversal of the positions of the burnervalves. It will be assumed that the valves in the group i I are initially in the open position and that the valves in the group I2 are in the closed posi-' tion. The mechanism for periodically reversing The conduit I0 is provided with a main control valve which may be of the butterfly type shown at IS. A booster blower It may be connected in the conduit Ill. A motor l5 for driving the booster exists across the supply line.

A pressure responsive diaphragm is subject i l derives its energy from a supply circuit l6 to the pressure on the. intake side of the booster blower M by means of a connection 23.-

A linkage composed of members 23, 23a and 23b is provided for operating contacts 21 and 23 mounted on a pivoted yoke 21a, upon the occurrence of either of the conditions the system is intended to guard against. The link 23 is connected to the diaphragm 24. The link 2311 is pivoted to the arm 2|. The link 23b is fixed to the yoke 21a. The links are pivotally connected as shown, and the partsv are so arranged and designed that, if either the magnet'23 or the diaphragm 24 becomes ineifective because of a decrease in the voltage or pressure, the, link 2311 will move to close the contact 21 and open the contact 23.-

A tripping coil 23 operates when energized to open the circuit breaker H. The circuit of this tripping coil includes an auxiliary contact 3|! which is closed when the circuit breaker I1 is closed, and a source of control current 3|. The

circuit may be closed either by the contact 21 or by a push button 32 located in a convenient point for manual operation. Rotation of the lever I3 in a clockwise direction opens a set of contacts shown at 33 for a purpose to be described later,

The apparatus for closing all of the burner valves in groups II and I2 upon the occurrence of the specified conditions includes a counterweight 34 and cables 33 and 33 traversing suitable guiding sheaves, connected to the operating levers 'of the valves and provided with counterweights 31 and 33. A cylinder 33 having a piston 40 therein is provided for raising the counterweight 34. A detent 4| having anti-friction rolls 42 thereon is adapted to hold the counterweight 34 in elevated position. A counterweighted bell crank 43 tends to retract the detent 4| but the latter is normally held in forward position by a latch 44 operated by an electromagnet 45. A cylinder 46 having a piston therein connected to the f detent 4| is provided for resetting the latter.

The electromagnet 45 is controlled by a relay 41, the circuit of which is controlled by the contacts 28 and 33, and a push button switch 43.

In describing the operation of the invention, we shall assume that the various members occupy the positions illustrated in Figure l and that the switch connecting the various control circuits to their supply source 3| is closed. As long as the pressure on the intake side of the booster blower i4 and the voltage of the source l6 are both maintained above predetermined values, no change in the system occurs except for the periodic reversal of the valves in the groups H and I2. It will be evident that on the reversal of the valves II to the dotted line position, the cable 35 will be slacked and the cable 36 tightened. The counterweights 31 and 38 move slightly in response to the operation of the valve reversing mechanism. The counterweight 34 is maintained in its upper position by the detent 4|.

With the parts in their illustrated positions, a

circuit is completed for the coil of the relay 41 from one side of the supply circuit through contact 33, contacts 23, push button switch 43 and the winding of the relay 41 to the other side of the supply circuit. The control source is preferably a storage battery to insure continuity of pro- 43 to retract the detent 4|.

'the booster blower l4 should decrease for any direction toclose the valve l3. The operation ,of the lever l3 opens the contact 33. The closing of the contact 21 completes the circuit for the tripping coil 23, whereby the circuit breaker I1 'is immediately opened. The electromagnet 23 is thereby deenergized. The tripping circuit is simultaneously opened at the contact 30.

The opening of the contacts 33 or 23 interrupts the circuit for the winding of the relay 41. The latter immediately opens its contacts to deenergize the electromagnet 45. The latch 44 is thereby raised to permit the counterweighed bell crank V The counterweight 34 is thereby released'and falls, shifting the valves of one of the groups H and i2 to the closed position and holding the valves of the other group in that position. It will beunderstood that the valves of the group II are shown in solid lines in the open position while the valves II are shown in solid lines in the closed p'ositlon.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that any decrease in the pressure of the supply main causes an immediate closure of the main valves as well as the burner valves and the disconnection of thebooster motor from its supply circuit.

The same result will follow if the voltage of the circuit l6 drops to a value insufiicient to insure continued operation of the motor l5 and the blower |4. If the voltage of the circuit l6 fails or decreases, the energization of the electromagnet 23 is correspondingly reduced. The counterweight 22 thereupon turns the arm 2| in aiclockwise direction, closing contact 21 and opening 28, as before, permitting the counterweight ill to turn the valve-operating lever l8 Lin the same direction. The diaphragm 24 and the electromagnet 23, of course, may be adjusted to operate at any desired reduction in pressure or voltage.

When the supply of fuel or current has been resumed, the valve control system may be restored to normal very easily. The arm 2| and link 26 are first manually held in their illustrated positions. manually, or .otherwise, to start the motor 5. The electromagnet 23 is thereby energized to help the diaphragm 24 hold the linkage in reset position. As the pressure of the fuel on the intake side of the blower returns, the diaphragm 24 holds the link26 down. It is now possible to openthe valve 3 manually and to engage the hook 20 under the end of the arm 2| and the joint effect of the diaphragm and magnet is to hold it in that position. The manipulation of the arm 2| and link 26 opens contact 21 and closes contact 28. The opening of the valve l3 closes the contact 33. The closing of the contacts 28 and 33 reenergizes the relay 41 and the electromagnet 45. The application of fluid pressure to the cylinders 39 and 46 causes thecounterweight 34 to be raised and the detent '4| to be moved forward until the hook 44 engages the rear end of the latter. One of the groups of valves H and I2 may then be opened and operation of the coke The circuit breaker I1 is then closed.

tionsof the valves inthe two groups.

The push button -32 is provided for the purpose'of permitting the mainvalve l3 and the burner valves. to beclosed'under manual control. The push button switch 48 similarlyprovides manual control of the counterweight 34 without affecting the main valve 13.

and auxiliary valves of, the fuel supply system upon a decrease in the pressure in the supply main either through failure ofthe fuel. supply or the. operation of the fuel delivering, means.

The invention is applicable not. only to a single supply conduit and a single set of bumersj -for reverse firing, but can be duplicated where a number of supply means deliver-fuel to acommon consumption deviceto'rgwher'e a number of such devices draw fuel from one' or-more supply sources. By duplicating the control circuits in the apparatus-shown, for each supply conduit and set of burner valves to be controlled, in thecase .of a number of supply conduits'feeding a common load, a decrease in the pressure in any'supply line will cause that line to be cut off. -The burner valves of the individualgroups, however,

will remain open since the circuit for the relay 4! will be established-through contacts. of other valve control mechanisms corresponding-to con tacts .28 and 33 of Figure 1. As long as there is at least one main conduit supplying fuel, therefore, all the burner valves will be maintained open. .Upon the failure of pressure in the last a conduit, allburner valves will be closed, as' well- ;as[the main valve in that particular. conduit by theopening of the circuit for. the relay 41. The main valve control mechanism .is. partly duplicated in Figure 1, elements of the duplicate cir 'cuit heingindicated by referencenumerals corresponding to thoseof thecomplete system, with a prime aflixed thereto. A very flexible controlsystem is thus provided insuring continued open-1 ation of the burnersaslong as there isany fuel- :45

r any conduit whereinjthe pressure fails.

available and, at the same time, disconnecting The system ,is simple and comparatively max- "p ensive but at thesametime, it' is positive in op- "eration' and provides ,a high degree of' safety against back-firing from burners due to reduc- .tions in the pressure of the fuel. .While-we have described the invention as applied to theprotection of lines supplying blast furnace gas to'coke where similar against.

Although we have-illustrated" and described f herein but a single present preferred embodiment of the invention, it will beapparent that numerous changes in the system disclosed may be made Weclai'm:" 1. In a fuel supply system, thecombination with a plurality-of main supply conduits, acutoff valve in each of. said conduits, and a plurality of valves forcontrolllng thejfiow of fuel from said conduits to-consuming devices,.of means responsive to the pressure of fuel in each supply conduit 1 for closingzthe valve therein, means for closing the valves on said consuming devices, and means closing of the main valve effective as, long asone of said main valves is open for preventing operation of said last-men- 1 1 from said conduits to consuming devices, of I It will be apparent that the invention provides means ior automatically closing both the main means responsive to the pressure in each of said conduits forclosing thevalve therein, means for closlngsaid individual valves, and means for preventing operation of said last-mentioned means "until all said main conduit valves have been closed. 1 -3 a :3. 'In a fuel supplyfsystem, the, combination with a main supply conduit, a main valve therein, and a valve for controlling the flow of fuel from said conduit to' a consumer, of means for closingthe. consumer valve, and means operative as long as said main valve is open for preventing 'operation of-the' consumer valve closing means. ,4. In a fuel supply system, the combination with a, main supply conduit, a valve therein, closing means for the valve, means for moving fuel through said conduit and a motor for driving said means, of means responsiveto the pressure in said conduit and means responsive to the-energization of said motor, and a common member controlled by said two last-mentioned means for preventing operation of said closing means.

*5. In a fueldistribution system, the combination with a supply conduit, a main valve therein, and an auxiliary valve controlling the flow of fuel from said main conduit, of means responsive to 'a drop in thepressure in the main conduit, means controlled thereby eflfective to close said main valve, and means actuated by effective to close the auxiliary valve. j 6.?The combination defined by claim 5 characterized'by a plurality of. main conduits supplying a distribution system in common, each having a main valve, and means rendered operative as long as a main valve in any one conduit-remains open, for preventing operation of the auxiliary valve closing means.

7.In a-fuel supply system, the combination 5 with a pump or blower, a conduitfor delivering -fuel thereto, a conduit for delivering fuel from the pump or blower to a point of use, and a motor driving said pump or blower, of means'responsive'to the pressure in said first-mentioned motor j 8. In a fuel'supplysystem, the combination with a main supply conduit, a valve therein,

.- means for closing the valve, andmeans responsive to the pressure onithe inlet side of the valve i for actuating the valve closing means on a decrease in said pressure resulting from failure of the fuel supply.

9.In a .fuel supply system, the combination Y I conduit efifectivefwhen operated to stop said ovens, it will be apparent that the'invention may. v v

be applied also to various. other installations conditions are to be, guarded,

with a pump normally operating to deliver fuel, 

